West Ham hit 'sticking point' over deal with 22 y/o emerging gem

West Ham United full-back Ben Johnson opted against signing an extended deal at the London Stadium because his advisers felt he should not commit his long-term future to the Hammers, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Johnson was reinstated to boss David Moyes’ starting line-up for the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, but there are question marks over how long he will remain on the club’s books thanks to a huge development.

The Athletic have revealed Johnson turned down the offer a new six-and-a-half year contract at West Ham, with negotiations reaching an impasse.

The report suggests the 22-year-old is happy at the London Stadium and remains focused on establishing himself as the Hammers’ first-choice right-back, but talks over fresh terms are unlikely to be reopened until early next year.

It comes after West Ham elected to take up the additional two-year option within his contract last week, with the agreement seeing the academy graduate’s wage rise this summer. The Hammers made the move due to Johnson’s deal initially being set to expire at the end of the season.

Spanish sources have claimed doubts over Johnson’s future has led to interest from three Premier League rivals.

It’s alleged Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on the right-back’s situation.

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Jones believes West Ham may struggle to get Johnson to agree to a long-term deal in the near future.

That is because the transfer insider understands the Hammers star’s representatives feel Johnson should keep his options open.

As a result, West Ham boss Moyes could find it difficult to convince the academy graduate to put pen-to-paper on fresh terms